2–Thessalonians
Introduction to the book of First Thessalonians
The believers in Thessalonica had faced persecution since their conversion, but now it was more severe. A false teaching declared that the day of the Lord had already come, and some believers even quit working. What do you say to people whose lives move from bad to worse? Paul's second letter to this new church addresses their troubling problems.Theme & Overview
Paul writes to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord's return and to encourage the Thessalonian believers to be steadfast and to work for a living. It appears that several issues Paul addressed in 1 Thessalonians were still very much alive when the second Thessalonian letter was written: the suffering of Christians, idleness, and the Lord's return, according to the "NKJV Chronological Study Bible." Thus, Paul could have written this letter from Corinth a few months after writing 1 Thessalonians, probably late in AD 51. The "NIV Quest Study Bible" says Paul wrote to believers at Thessalonica whom he suspected needed a stronger dose of the advice he'd given them in his first letter.Author
Paul's name is in the letter opening (1:1), and at the conclusion, Paul adds a note in his own hand to guarantee the letter's authenticity (2–Thessalonians 3:17). As in 1 Thessalonians, the names of Silas and Timothy, the cofounders of this church, are included alongside Paul's, indicating that they stood behind the contents of the letter and probably shared in its writing. Most of the first person pronouns in the letter are plural ("we"), suggesting that Silas and Timothy had real input into the letter and that their names were not included simply as a courtesy. However, the final greeting in Paul's writing emphasizes that he is the primary author, personally responsible for the letter's contents. The early church unanimously affirmed that 2 Thessalonians was a genuine letter of the apostle Paul. The book is in harmony with Paul's other writings, and nearly all scholars today recognize Paul as the author of this letter.Date & Place of Writing
Approximately AD 50—52.Recipients
The recipients of the letter were the same as those who received 1 Thessalonians: "the church in Thessalonica, … you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2–Thessalonians 1:1). Many were artisans who earned their living by manual labor (2–Thessalonians 3:6–12) or were clients of rich patrons (see "Work and Patronage" at 2–Thessalonians 3:6–10,). They were not people who had great wealth.Work and Patronage
When Paul first visited Thessalonica, he taught the believers to work for a living rather than being dependent by demanding support or becoming clients of non-Christian patrons.Yet some of the Thessalonians refused to work. Paul dealt with these idle Christians in his first letter (1 Thes 4:11–12; 5:14), but they remained entrenched and had not changed their ways. Why did they refuse to work? Possibly, these believers so vividly expected a quick return of the Lord that they gave up all work. However, Paul’s teaching about the Lord's coming never contradicted his basic instruction about the necessity of work (2–Thessalonians 3:6, 10).These idle Christians may have been clients of prominent patrons. Patronage was a fundamental feature of the Roman economic world. Rich patrons often supported numerous clients in various ways, such as by giving them food or money and by representing them in public assembly. Having numerous clients increased the honor of a patron. However, being a client brought social obligations that Paul would have wanted the Thessalonian believers to avoid, especially because their patrons were most likely not Christians.Paul set for the Thessalonians an example of self-reliance. While he was among them, he supported himself (2–Thessalonians 3:7–8; 1–Thessalonians 2:9). Although Paul believed that “those who work deserve to be fed” (Matt 10:10; 1 Cor 9:13–16), he did not receive support from the Thessalonians (he did accept offerings from the Philippians, Phil 4:15–16). Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know that he did not come to them as a smooth talker hoping for monetary gain (1 Thes 2:5, 9). He wanted them to understand from his example how they themselves should live.Background
From the time of their conversion, the Thessalonian Christians had experienced hostility (1 Thes 1:6; 2:14), and Paul had worried about whether they would retain their faith (1 Thes 3:5). When Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, they had stood firm in the faith, love, and hope (1 Thes 1:3; 3:6–8). After Paul sent his first letter, the situation in the Thessalonian church deteriorated, and the persecution intensified. What Paul had previously written was being countered by "a false" teaching that said that the day of the Lord had already come (2–Thessalonians 2:2). Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians after receiving this news (2–Thessalonians 2:2; 3:11) to give this church a divine perspective.The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians is a follow-up to the first. It appears to have been written shortly after 1 Thessalonians, in response to certain reports that had come to the apostle regarding the Thessalonians' progress (cf. 3:11). Paul was still in Corinth and unable to leave his work there. However, he continued to maintain a keen interest in the little church to the north which had shown such promise (2–Thessalonians 1:3, 4), despite some continuing serious problems. While Paul was encouraged by their faith and steadfastness, he could see that many in the assembly were still very confused about the second coming of Christ. Paul even suggests the possibility that some are deliberately misrepresenting his teaching on this all-important subject (2–Thessalonians 2:2). The possibility of such a deception is supported by counterfeit letters purportedly written by the apostle. He exhorts or encourages them to pay special attention to his signature so that they may distinguish the genuine letters from the false (2– Thessalonians 3:17). Paul knows the ultimate source of this trouble is Satan himself, the "evil one" (2–Thessalonians 3:3), and he is confident that the Lord will protect them. Nevertheless, this misunderstanding had led many in the church to forsake their occupations, to lead undisciplined lives, and to breed unrest among the people by becoming busybodies and beggars, living off those who still maintained gainful employment (2– Thessalonians 3:6–15). Still, others had become discouraged, thinking the day of the Lord had already begun and that they had somehow missed it. They had expected Christ to destroy their enemies. Yet they were still suffering persecution. Paul addresses these problems. He explains that while the time of the Lord's coming cannot be predicted, it will be a spectacular event that no one could miss. Furthermore, if the day of the Lord had already begun, then many other events would already have taken place (2–Thessalonians 2:1–12). Since they had seen none of these events, they could be sure they had not missed the Lord's return. In the meantime, they should take heart in the fact that from the start, God's purpose was to include them in the glorious events of Christ's coming (2–Thessalonians 2:13, 14). As for those who were presuming upon the good graces of their brethren, they should get to work or expect not to eat (2–Thessalonians 3:6–15). Wars are often fought on multiple fronts. This was certainly the case with the conflict in the church at Thessalonica. The battle lines were numerous with persecutors assailing the church, false doctrine circulating, and unruly members refusing to work. In his response, however, Paul never embraces despair or exasperation. He is very clear in his teaching and correction. He intends for his words to strengthen the troubled church, stop the false teaching, and correct the errant members. The value of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians is not merely in figuring out how events will occur at the end of human history. Such has often been the approach to the second chapter of this letter. Second Thessalonians is primarily a pastoral letter from Paul that provides hope and confidence in God when the world has gone mad. Christ reigns now, and Christ will be triumphant in the end.A Summary of Second Thessalonians
Second Thessalonians opens with the customary greeting (1:1–2), then quickly moves to thanksgiving for their faith, love, and persevering hope, which had become a model for other congregations (1:3–4). Noting their suffering, Paul says that God will judge their persecutors and bring reward to the Thessalonians (1:5–10). Paul gives thanks for this church and prays that God will continue to make them worthy of his calling (1:11–12). In spite of their troubles, Paul is confident in God's work among them. Paul counters the false teaching that "the day of the Lord has already begun" (2:1–2) and urges the church not to be deceived by this doctrine (2–Thessalonians 2:3). He outlines events that will precede Christ's coming when the church will be gathered to meet him (2–Thessalonians 2:1–12). First, there will be rebellion against God (2–Thessalonians 2:3). Then will come "the man of lawlessness," who will claim to be divine and demand worship ( 2–Thessalonians 2:3–4). Although he will be empowered by Satan and will deceive many, Jesus will destroy him (2–Thessalonians 2:8–12). Although the man of lawlessness will deceive many, Paul is confident that God chose and called the Thessalonian Christians, and he urges them to stand firm (2:13–15). Paul concludes his discussion on final events with a prayer for the church (2:16–17) and a request that they pray for him as he preaches the Good News (3:1–2). His faith in the church is based on God's handiwork (3:3–5)."The Christian view of history … is linear, and neither circular nor cyclical. We believe that it will come to a planned end, a grand finale, consisting of the Parousia, the Resurrection, the Judgment, and the Kingdom. That these events are history's goal is plain in both Paul's letters to the Thessalonians." (JOHN R. W. STOTT The Message of 1 & 2 Thessalonians).
In the closing section (3:6–18), Paul returns to an issue that he had addressed in the first letter. Despite Paul's instruction and example, some believers refused to work, so Paul called on the church to discipline them (3:6–10). He also addresses these idle members directly, telling them to get to work (3:11–12). He commands the church to treat these slackers as errant Christians rather than hostile enemies (3:14–15), and he encourages the church to continue its generosity toward those in genuine need (3:13). He closes the letter with prayers and a final greeting (3:16–18).Key Verses (ESV)
2 Thessalonians 1:6–8: "Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."2 Thessalonians 2:13: "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one."2 Thessalonians 3:10: "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."2 Thessalonians 2:15: "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."Key Passages (NLT)
2 Th 1:1–3:18"This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Dear brothers…"Outline #1
Thanksgiving and prayerStanding firmWarnings against laziness
Outline #2
Second Thessalonians consists of three chapters in three broad categories. After a brief introduction (2 Thessalonians 1:1–2), Paul provides a beginning section of encouragement for his readers (2 Thessalonians 1). This encouragement also addresses the coming judgment at Christ's coming (2 Thessalonians 1:5–12).The second section addresses concerns regarding issues of prophecy (2 Thessalonians 2). Paul tells the Thessalonian believers they were not to be shaken or alarmed. Before the end, the rebellion will come, including the man of lawlessness who opposes God; this seems to be a reference to the future Antichrist. Paul had already spoken about this with these believers (2 Thessalonians 2:5). These events had not yet taken place but would come about in the Lord's timing. This lawless figure would be defeated by the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:8). So the readers of this letter are not to be concerned but rather encouraged to stand firm (2 Thessalonians 2:13–17).The third section requests prayer for Paul, Silas, and Timothy (2 Thessalonians 3:1–5) and warns against idleness. Paul's life is meant to be their example: working hard to meet needs and help others. They are to continue living according to God's ways and not grow weary in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Paul closes with words of blessing and a greeting in his own hand (2 Thessalonians 3:17).